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St. Louis (66-69) at Cincinnati (68-66)
- When: Aug 29 2025, 6:40 PM
- Where: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati
- Where to watch: FDSOH
Cardinals vs. Reds – Game Betting Preview & Prediction
Moneyline: Cincinnati -128
Spread: Cincinnati -1.5 (+155)
Total: 9.0
Cincinnati Reds Betting Preview
The Reds return to Cincinnati as -128 moneyline favorites with the total set at 9.0, desperate to stop the bleeding after a brutal 3-6 road trip. Their biggest stumble came against the Dodgers, dropping all three games and striking out an eye-popping 19 times in the finale.
Manager Terry Francona is challenging his club to turn the final five weeks into their best baseball of the season. Sitting four games behind the Mets for the final NL wild-card spot, there’s no time to waste.
Right-hander Zack Littell (9-8, 3.62 ERA) gets the ball. Since joining Cincinnati, he’s been serviceable but not spectacular, going 1-0 with a 3.92 ERA in four starts. The concern? His career numbers vs. St. Louis are rough — an 0-2 record and a 7.04 ERA across nine outings.
St. Louis Cardinals Betting Preview
The Cardinals, though out of the Central race, are clinging to faint wild-card hopes themselves. After losing four of five, they salvaged a split against the Pirates with a 4-1 win Thursday. Rookie Thomas Saggese has been one of the few bright spots, showing patience at the plate and delivering clutch hits while veterans like Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan remain sidelined.
Matthew Liberatore (6-11, 4.27 ERA) will start Friday. The lefty has been in a major rut, going winless since June 29 and posting a 6.21 ERA over his past seven starts. His lone outing against Cincinnati this year ended in a 9-1 loss after he gave up two runs in just three innings.
MLB Betting Outlook & Prediction
Both teams are fighting inconsistency, but Cincinnati’s urgency combined with the Cardinals’ shaky pitching gives the Reds the edge in this series opener. With Littell on the mound at home, look for Cincinnati’s bats to rebound against Liberatore’s recent struggles.
Score Prediction: Reds 6, Cardinals 4
Pick: Cincinnati (-128)
Total: Over 9.0 (-104)
- MLB Odds source: MyBookie Sportsbook
- Get real-time live scores & latest betting odds here!
